A WAITING list for allotments has prompted Haslemere Town Council to consider reviving an old site in Clammer Hill, Grayswood. The site, now being grazed by sheep, is owned by the council, although it has not been used for allotments for a number of years. One resident has written to the town council objecting to reviving the site, saying it would radically affect the value of her property at Clammer Hill House and would ruin the "timeless, peaceful and pastoral view" from her house and that of a tenant in Clammer Hill Old Barn. There are currently 46 Haslemere residents on the waiting list and four non-residents. Although most want either the Collards Lane or Sickle Mill, Sturt Road site, 13 have not expressed a preference. Altogether there are 57 plots owned by Haslemere Town Council on the two current sites rented out to allotment holders. Isabelle Cole said in her letter: "I have to say that I am surprised and disappointed that I have not been officially informed by the council of its possible intentions, with regard to the two fields' change of use, since my property overlooks them directly." She added, traffic already used the lane nearby as a rat run, her neighbour had been burgled recently and it would get worse, along with the fact the soil was poor quality. She believed there are other allotments available at Sandhills, near Wormley, although these are not under Haslemere Town Council's countrol. Mrs Cole told The Herald: "I am objecting on all grounds I can possibly think of, I look out on this wonderful view and while I don't have a right to the view, if we had to have allotments and a car park it would completely compromise the security of our home." Town mayor Stephen Mulliner said: "Demand for allotments tends to fluctuate. Some places are packed out and others are where no one wants them." Although the council owns the third site in Clammer Hill, demand may not be enough to bring it back into use, especially as it is on heavy clay soil. He added: "It does not have to be there (Clammer Hill), another possibility is to ask Waverley Borough Council to provided more land." A plan from 1947 shows there were 22 plots at Clammer Hill, when the land was owned by Haslemere Urban District Council. After local government reorganisation in 1974 the town council was left the three sites as allotment land to administer. The council's amenities working group is conducting a consultation exercise to see if there was enough demand to justify providing another site. At the moment the owner of North Lodge has a license to graze his sheep on the field – which is divided by a footpath into two – and has been given another 12 months. However, feedback so far indicates there is limited demand for new allotments away from Collards Lane and Sickle Mill. A town council spokesman said plots vary in size and the policy at the moment is to maximise their use by subdividing the larger ones as they become available. Rents are very low – 14p per square metre for 2009 – and it may not be viable because it would cost about £20,000 to provide access, car parking and deer -proof fencing. He said: "No decision has yet been made on this issue, it is for the working group to decide the way forward." l GRAYSHOTT Parish Council has created 10 new plots at Beech allotments to encourage residents to grow their own fruit and vegetables. The allotments are at the rear of the sports field and are available to rent to Grayshott residents. For more information on the Grayshott allotments, contact the clerk, Liz Pennick, or assistant clerk Leah Coney, at the parish council office in the village hall, Headley Road; call 01428 606510 or email [email protected]">[email protected]